Blog - Page 54 of 63 - Proper Landscaping Inc.

Aug 12

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Garden Days.ca freestyle

By Vas Sladek | Education, Events, gardening | No Comments

As reported in the CNLA Newsbrief (spring 2016, vol.25 issue 2, page 4) Garden Days are Canada’s Annual Celebration of Gardens and Gardening. It all starts with National Garden Day, always the Friday before Father’s Day. June 17-19 this year. That’s easy to remember for fathers.

This is basically a three-day freestyle celebration of gardens. People can visit their favourite gardens, work in their own gardens or stop by a garden centre for some inspiration. Some businesses organize barbecues, fundraisers, festivals or special sales. Lovers can enjoy a walk through botanical gardens.

This is what I did with my kids.

We watered and checked our patio plants, a mix of annuals, perennials and plants that are being “parked” for the time being. The most interesting pot is a mix of wildflowers I received as a gift from my kids. I simply dumped the seeds out into a new pot and waited.
When my son showed me his Minecraft house creation, I helped him improve the landscaping by adding more flowers. Virtual gardening. I said this was freestyle.
On the way to soccer we walked by the Port Moody recreation centre and identified local trees, like cottonwoods which have a tendency to self-prune by dropping branches.
Instead of my usual “fake” bedtime story, I told the kids about my audiobook “Lab girl” by Dr. Hope Jahren. In it she mentions resurrection plants; plants so brown and dead it’s hard to believe that with moisture they come back to life. They are the only plants that have figured out how to grow without being green!

Wildflower mix, a gift from my kids.

Extras from work: Begonias and Geraniums

A salvaged Bergenia

I always wanted to have my own Rudbeckias

We added more flowers to my son’s Minecraft creation

Did you get a chance to celebrate Garden Days?

Aug 08

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Common landscape maintenance mistakes, vol. 1

By Vas Sladek | Landscaping, Lawn Care, Strata Maintenance, Tips | No Comments

There are many mistakes made in landscape maintenance. I’m hoping that by publishing the common ones, new landscapers can learn from other people’s mistakes. Not the hard way. Here we go.

A) Damage

Line trimmers, blade edgers and mowers have spinning parts and can cause a lot of damage. Get familiar with your work areas and identify any potential hazards. Companies have to pay for damages. Don’t be surprised if your boss has a go-to window guy on speed dial. It happens, so be careful.

Don’t assume these covers are tightened when you mow

line trimmer damage; one little corner full of pebbles, first time line edging here

B) Scalping

This is the biggest lawn care sin. Why? Because grass regenerates from meristems located about a third of the way up a blade of grass. Not from roots. When you scalp the lawn you get a bald spot. Even worse is scalping in November when the grass doesn’t grow much anymore. Don’t scalp. Remember to stay away from edges; the line trimmer is coming by to cover the edges. Your mow should be easy and stress-free. The same goes for line edging.

the mower was too close to the edge and slipped off

extremely harsh line edging

C) Line crossing

Yes, I know, speed is critical to your success in mowing. But when you finish putting in your laser lines don’t ruin your presentation. No line crossing. Take the long way if you have to or follow existing lines. Always. This is especially noticeable around towers where residents look down on their lawns.

Don’t cross over your lines! Use existing lines or take the long way out.

D) Don’t mow through tree wells

This is my favorite example because we get to review. 1) the space is too narrow for the mower deck, which leads to 2) scalping (brown spot), 3) soil compaction in the root zone (wheel marks) and 4) it crushes our deep edges. Let the line edger take care of the narrow spot. Mowers don’t belong in tree wells.

Learn from other people’s landscape maintenance mistakes and work like a pro. Good luck!

Aug 05

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When landscape machines go missing.

By Vas Sladek | Landscape Industry, Landscaping Equipment, Security | No Comments

Worst landscape day ever

So I got my lawn care done on a recent Saturday in Burnaby and it was time to blow. I opened up my truck storage compartment and….only the mower was there. Then it hit me. F***. Only steps from a place of worship, I had been robbed. Really robbed. Two backpack blowers and two line edgers. It easily became my worst day ever as a landscaper. I’m used to delivering value and increasing profits. Losing four machines is the very opposite. I hope my anger wears off soon.

All four (4!) machines were well-used. Soon they will most likely show up at a flea market somewhere. The seller will score enough cash to support some nasty habit he or she shouldn’t have formed in the first place.

What kind of degenerate steals a man’s trade tools? I work six and sometimes seven day weeks when it’s busy. It would never occur me to exchange my weekend landscaping work for theft. I feel sorry for these people.

It happens a lot

This actually happens a lot. Landscapers in the Lower Mainland do what they can to protect their equipment. Still, machines go missing. What do you do? Unless there are clear witnesses, the police can’t do much. A few months ago I got to view a security tape. Two guys in a pick-up truck, one landscaper far away from the truck, and a blower goes missing in broad daylight with cameras on. Easy score.

My friend who runs a successful North Shore operation also had huge problems. He went on local news. His security camera videos are on Facebook. There are many degenerates living among us. Instead of stealing trade tools, they should learn how to use them. Sad, sad slaves to their bad habits.

What about insurance? Considering the depreciation on landscape machines it does not make sense to make a claim. You will end up paying more in premiums next year. That hurts.

Clearly, I will have to review my on-site parking arrangement and keep everything locked and closed between tasks. I wonder how many days it will take for the anger to wear off.

Keep your equipment safe!

Tactics: a new Stihl blower spray painted to look unattractive

Aug 01

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Nematodes vs. European chafer beetles

By Vas Sladek | gardening, Landscaping, Lawn Care, Tips | No Comments

One of my clients on the Westwood Plateau in Coquitlam loves his lawn. When his lawn got ripped up by animals searching for European chafer grubs, he was shocked. He installed an irrigation system and hired me so his lawn could receive good, consistent care.

Damaged lawn by animals looking for tasty grubs

Repaired lawn

Once I repaired the damaged lawn, my client decided to try a nematode application. He pre-ordered the nematodes in June. $80 cost plus my labour.

June is a busy month for the European chafer beetles. As they mature, they emerge out of the lawn and fly off to nearby trees to mate. Then they look for new lawns to lay their eggs in. If you’re lucky, they pick your neighbour’s lawn. Cutting your lawn higher means it’s more difficult for the beetles to stick their back ends in to lay their eggs.

Europen chafer beetles ( the bottom 3 are playing dead!)

The recommended nematode application window is from the third week of July. This is what we did once the nematodes arrived. They were kept cool in a fridge.

A) Cut your lawn short and water it really well prior to nematode application. The microscopic nematodes require water to penetrate into soil. There they seek out the grubs. Important: get a municipal water permit.

B) Because the nematodes are photo-sensitive we waited until there was no direct sunlight hitting both the front and back lawn areas.

C) We prepared a 4L bucket of water. The we opened the package and soaked the sponges in the water. Also soak the plastic bag holding the sponges. Carefully squeeze each sponge ten times. Then stir the solution well. Discard bags and sponges.

D) Carefully fill up your hose end sprayer. We used a funnel. Don’t forget to stir the solution before every re-fill.

E) Turn on water and spray methodically. Use sticks, tools or tape if it makes it easier for you to keep track of where you’ve sprayed. We soaked the worst damaged spot.

F) Water your lawn after application.

Pre-order nematodes in June (NemasysG “seekers are best)

Hose end tank and 4L bucket for nematode solution; funnel and stir stick

Soak the nematodes in your bucket, squeeze several times, also wash the plastic cover just in case

Hose end applicator $17 tax included

If everything goes well, the chafer larvae will get eliminated by the nematodes. Two problems with nematodes is that they might have to be applied annually and they eliminate all grubs they find in the soil. In the meantime, the lawn will receive better care.

Jul 29

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European chafer beetle battles: more lawn, really?

By Vas Sladek | Education, gardening, Landscaping, Lawn Care | No Comments

So your lawn has been damaged by animals looking for European chafer beetle grubs. Now what? Do nothing and look at the mess? Get more grass? Or give up and go for alternatives?

I have clients on the Westwood Plateau who last year witnessed black bears digging through their back yard lawn looking for chafer grubs. Their lawn was weak: areas covered by trampoline were mossy, there was no regular irrigation or fertilization. Chafer beetles laid eggs in it the previous June.

Heavy animal damage as they look for tasty grubs

I came to install mulch and prune their evergreens. Could I fix the damage? Yes, of course. Do regular lawn maintenance? With pleasure.

Client wants more grass

There are home owners who love, LOVE, their green grass. This particular home owner wanted more grass. He installed a new irrigation system, paid for my fix and ordered nematodes. The lawn will be cut bi-weekly and higher than in previous seasons.

Step 1: cut the lawn short and remove lawn chunks

Step 2: power rake the lawn, rake up the debris and mow it again

Step 3: install good lawn and garden soil and rake it in

Step 4: overseed, gently rake in seeds, add starter fertilizer, roll it with a pin to level any bumps and to ensure soil-seed contact; and water

Step 5: check for germination after 7+ days and overseed any obvious open spots

Step 6: order nematodes in June and apply them to the lawn in late summer/fall

Step 7: cut higher, irrigate and fertilize as required

Mid-July 2016 lawn fixed, regularly irrigated, nematode application pending

Clients who love their grass can repair their lawns, maintain them well, and apply beneficial nematodes in the third week of July. There are no guarantees with nematodes but this home will be a good test site. More on nematodes in a future blog.

Jul 25

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July colors rule!

By Vas Sladek | gardening, Landscaping, Plant Species Information | No Comments

Summer color

Summer colors rule! It’s a lot of fun working in July landscapes. These are the days I dream of on cold November days. Those dark wet days when I have miles of cedar hedges to prune and the only source of heat is the gear case on my shears.

Mass-planted Rudbeckias are very warm and hard to miss; lilies are everywhere; and Liatris spicata demand attention. My favorite silk tree, Alibizia julibrissen, smells so great I get close enough for its silky flowers to tickle my nose. I even snipped off a few flowers, sealed them in a bag and brought them home so my kids could enjoy the scent.

Below are plants I encountered while working in the landscape. The Hosta flower picture is my first ever. Until now I never photographed an individual Hosta flower.

Plant identification

Summer is the best time for plant identification work. As you move through your gardens and landscapes look around. Can you name some or all of the species? When you encounter your favorite plant, look it up. Most plants have their own stories and interesting details.

Can’t name some? Take a picture and research them. Better yet, buy some plants and plant them in your garden. That’s the best way to remember them.

Plant tag thief

When I install plants I always keep the tags. When I find discarded plant tags, I keep them. I also take pictures of tags in clients’ gardens. I try to stay away from garden centres because, inevitably, some tags of plants I didn’t know will end up in my pocket. That’s when teenage garden centre assistants roll their eyes and search for the manager. Lesson is over. I head for the exit.

What are your summer favourites?

Echinacea

Hosta

Liatris spicata

Rudbeckia

Hemerocallis

Crocosmia

Asclepias tuberosa

Yucca filamentosa

Campanula

Lobelia x speciosa

Eupatorium dubium (Dwarf Joe Pye weed)

Lilium (Tiger lily)

Potentilla

Jul 22

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Million dollar homes

By Vas Sladek | gardening, Landscape Industry, Landscaping | No Comments

Multi-million dollar homes have been in the news for a long time. Foreign buyers come in, flush with cash and locals are priced out of the market. Or so one story goes. I am not an expert on real estate. Nor am I in a position to buy one of these Vancouver homes. But, I am qualified to work on them.

When my buddy recently asked me to help him upgrade his Vancouver home, I jumped at the chance. Not only was the compensation generous by BC landscape wage standards, it was also consistent with my personal mission. The mission being to constantly seek out new experiences, both in my personal life and work life.

The goal

The goal was to upgrade the landscaping very quickly so the house could be put on the market. All new flowers had to look good for the next three months or so.

The home is built on a man-made hill

The view! Note Cedrus deodara tree on the left, the topic of an earlier blog; it sports huge upright cones visible from the house

Basic tasks

weed the front garden
prune rhododendrons
remove patio crack weeds
prune plants off upper stairwell
expose house numbers obscured by Cotoneaster
push back ivy from main entrance area
remove dead shrubs
prune Forsythia spikes
install new soil
install new plants
line trim wild looking lawn
cut out cherry suckers
clean up blow

Hebe ‘Hinerua’

Achillea millefolium ‘Strawberry seduction’

Hebe and Yarrow covering what was a bare slope

The main entrance beds were planted with three new roses, Dianthus ‘Kahori’, Hemerocallis ‘Scottish fantasy’, petunias and cacti. I helped with the install; not the design and plant selection. The only tricky part was planting the Yarrow because the tall stems can break off.

Fluffy organic garden blend soil Overkill at $50/yard since the home is about to be sold

After two work sessions the house looked much better. I can’t wait to see how quickly the house sells and for how much. What’s the chance the new owners will require maintenance help? It would be fun to work here again.

Jul 18

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Stihl power shears maintenance

By Vas Sladek | Landscaping Equipment, Strata Maintenance | No Comments

Mid-season pruning can be extremely taxing on landscape companies. Shrubs and hedges need to be clipped back into shape. Things like walkway and window obstruction need to be addressed. Tree branches can hang too low, touch gutters and building envelopes, which gets insurance companies excited. Some residents don’t want any pruning because of concerns with privacy; some residents want their yards pruned ASAP.

All this on top of regular maintenance work.

Mid-season pruning is also very taxing on equipment. But with some love and attention your machines will run well. Last week I took the time to service my Stihl power shears.

A) blades should be lubricated after every use, especially on rainy days

B) gear cases should be greased periodically, depending on frequency of use

C) blades will require frequent sharpening for nice, clean cuts

D) check all nuts and bolts

Let us examine this Stihl model. It’s more homeowner than commercial which means it is light, it has a smaller gas tank and decent power. Commercial power shears have more power which means they are heavier and their gas tanks are bigger. They also cost more.

Machines usually have grease nipples which require grease guns with grease cartridges. This model sports a black rubber button. Remove it gently.

Look for grease nipples or openings

Carefully pop the black rubber button

Don’t be fooled, there was little grease under this opening

Always use good quality grease

You don’t have to use Stihl grease but make sure it is good grease. The same goes for the blade lubricant.

Lubricate your blades after every use before you pack up and go home. This is a crucial step on rainy days.

Having rusty, dull blades and seized gear cases on your power shears is not fun. Always take some time out of your busy pruning day for equipment maintenance. Your machines will run better and you will be more productive.

Jul 15

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Line edger maintenance basics

By Vas Sladek | Edging, Education, Lawn Care | No Comments

Let’s talk about basic line edger maintenance. An earlier blog discussed the importance of line edger head lubrication. Now we consider the spool and smooth line feeding.

July 1st Canada Day is prime fun time but sometimes the schedule demands a little bit of work. Like all work on stat holidays, the directions are mow-blow-go. Get the basics done and bail. Overtime is costly and residents would prefer to enjoy their holiday without noise and exposure to small engine exhaust.

So imagine my frustration when the line edger was not feeding new line. Normally you bump the head -gently!-on a hard surface and the line advances. Not this past Friday. It was very hard to make progress like this, especially when the directions were to get it done quickly.

There could be two problems with the line.

A) The line is about to run out and is too short to feed out

B) The line is crossed or otherwise stuck in the spool

I changed the line carefully and still the line wouldn’t advance properly. Then it hit me. The spool in the middle of the head was worn out. (I don’t normally use this machine.) Worn out is an understatement.

worn out spool

pop the head

replace spent spool, carry spare parts in your truck

might as well install new line

much better!

re-fuel and bring spare line

Before you resume your line edging work, re-fuel your gas tank and put correctly pre-cut spare line in your pocket. Maximum efficiency dictates that you have spare line ready to go if you should run out far away from your truck. Extra walking is the enemy of production.

Ear protection, safety goggles and long pants are all mandatory for safe line edging. Make sure residents are at a safe distance from you. Little boys love watching machines.

Your line edger is a workhorse so take care of it.

Jul 11

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Can West Hort Show 2016

By Vas Sladek | Education, Events | No Comments

Can West Hort Show is again returning to the TRADEX in Abbotsford, BC, this year from September 28 to 29, 2016.

Registration opens on July 22. If you have never been to the show, check it out this year. It’s the biggest horticulture show in BC and well worth the entry fee. Landscape companies get lots of free passes. Ask around.

Personally, I attend the day-long (9-3pm) Urban Forestry Symposium every year. The $200+ fee is an investment in my education and includes lunch. My employer might have budget for this. I will ask nicely. We will see. You can do the same. Just ask nicely. Don’t forget the ISA will give you CEUs for the five hours. Same for the CNLA, if you are Landscape Industry Certified.

The lectures are all tree related. It’s also a chance to mingle with people from other companies and municipalities; meet new people and reconnect with old acquaintances. Last year one of the lectures was delivered by the ISA president and university professor on “Trees and drought.” Very topical. Sadly, when I walked over to pick up a copy of the lecture notes, I missed meeting journeyman horticulturist Todd Major by a few seconds.

Once the lectures finish, I walk around the trade floor checking out the booths. Inevitably, I will run into someone I haven’t seen in ages and we’ll talk. My pockets will be full of candy and bag full of catalogues.

The best booth to visit is the Landscape Industry Certified plant ID station. It is set up like a test station with actual live specimens and you have to match them to the list on your sheet. Why not test yourself? You could win a prize.

The show also features general sessions and power clinics. Pick one you like or attend them all. Collect CEUs.

There is lots of free parking in front of the Tradex building. The show opens 10-5pm.

(visit http://www.canwesthortshow.com for details)

See you there!

If you see Vas in orange, say Hello